But here’s one factor that may be underappreciated: investing in the tutors who train future technicians. How important are they? The best judges are the learners themselves, as I heard recently at S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol during a break in the action at this year’s IRTE Skills Challenge in June.
One of the friendly tutors there was telling me that, on top of covering the technical parts of the light and heavy vehicle service and maintenance curriculums, S&B also spends a few hours in a block-release session on wider social issues, to support apprentices’ transition into adulthood. Past discussions have centred on social responsibility, racism and gender, to name a few. A recent discussion covered personal worth, as expressed in pay. The tutor asked the group, ‘What should I be paid?’ and ‘How much am I worth to you?’. And as he went around the room asking apprentices in turn, they kept raising the stakes: £60,000, £70,000, £80,000 – and here the tutor stopped to admit that he was flattered, and wished that he did bring home such a high salary.
Resuming his story, he said that he turned to another student, who came out with something entirely different. The student said: “It’s because of you that I’m in this industry. As long as I’m working, every penny that I earn, you’re worth more than that.” Reflecting on the insight and gratitude within that comment, the tutor said: “That blew me away. What else could I say – but thank you.” And this from a man who is not short of words.
Every learner, whether at school, college or university, can remember a teacher who made a difference to their personal development. They know, too (if only deep down), that the role of the teacher is vitally important. So here’s to the people training the next generation. If the road transport industry wants more good technicians, it needs to recruit, train and reward college tutors. It would be a brilliant result if they all could exhibit the same passion, commitment and generosity that I witnessed at S&B.
